Coral Gables, Florida which is no stranger to fine dining establishments is about to get a culinary boost from an indigenous Dominican miracle potion named “Mamajuana”. The owners of the famous Mamajuana Café in New York are ready to open their doors locally and treat Miami residents to the feel, sights, tastes, and sounds that have had the Big Apple buzzing for years.

A formal ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 6:30 pm with Coral Gables city officials, celebrities and the owners of Mamajuana (Victor Osorio, Carlos Saint-hilaire). Following that “welcome” into the South Florida community, the kick off celebration will commence. Passed hors de oeuvres, Mojitos courtesy of Bacardi, Champagne courtesy of Korbel and fresh rolled cigars courtesy of South Beach Cigar Shop will keep guests of this high end soiree smiling as they are the first to step foot into Mamajuana in Miami.

Mamajuana represents a place where all five of the senses will delight. Nestled across the street from “The Village of Merrick Park” Mamajuana Café will embark guests on a journey to a far off “paradise”. A full-on entertainment and dining experience, Mamajuana Cafe was created for the patron possessing an appreciation for culture, art, and cuisine. The venue is an attraction in itself as it stays true to pre and post Columbian Dominican culture.

The owners of Mamajuana Café considered every detail as they carefully blended pre-Columbian artifacts and feel with old world Spanish architecture. The name “Mamajuana” itself is derived from a drink created by the Taino Indians who are indigenous to the Dominican Republic. The Mamajuana drink is a concoction made of herbs, roots, rum, and wine which has been used as a cure all that treats everything from impotency to the flu.

Much like the Mamajuana drink the Café will act as a cure all for patrons as the venue transports them from the mundane to an exotic Dominican paradise. One can indulge in amazing cocktails, an award-winning wine list (under the direction of Sommelier Yamil Martinez) and live entertainment. But the real star of the show is the cuisine. Acclaimed Chef Ricardo Cardona, a pioneer of Nuevo Latin Cuisine who created the Mamajuana menu in New York will oversee the kitchen creating the menu in Miami as well. Cardona, who has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, The L.A. Times, and The Chicago Tribune, has worked in a variety of French and American restaurants before accepting his current task at this venue situated in one of the most prominent areas of South Florida.

On Thursday February 19th 2009 the grand opening will be like an awards ceremony complete with a red carpet filled with local, regional and national/international celebrities. Onlookers will get to feast their eyes on all that equals a “wow” factor such as the most fabulous exotic vehicles out in the market parked out front courtesy of Elite Luxury Rentals, body painted models and performers courtesy of Zhantra Entertainment and Drawing on People, music, surprise performances and much, much, more. Once inside the venue, guests will have the opportunity to sit amidst the beautiful ambiance the ownership had created, including original artwork by artist Alex Yanes.

Guests, VIPS including: Tito Puente Jr., Fernando Del Rincon, Tony Andrade, Nuestra Belleza Latina Alejandra Espinoza, Shalim, Latin Grammy Winner Jorge Moreno, Charytin Goyco, Karol Rosa, List Alea, and media will be present as this opening takes everyone on a journey, a fabulous one embracing a concept straight from NYC to the city of beaches and amazing nightlife- Miami.

The Mamajuana grand Opening will take place with a ribbon cutting at 6:30pm, cocktail reception with music from 7-10pm. Promotional partners include: Presidente Beer, Got It Concierge, Gables Magazine, One Source Branding, and the UM Transplant Foundation.

For additional information on Mamajuana Café in Coral Gables, or grand opening festivities, please contact: Creativas Group (305) 968-2384 and via email at: info@creativasgroup.com for media coverage, and interviews. For interviews with Victor Osorio, Carlos Saint-hilaire or Chef Ricardo Cardona please contact: Creativas Group.

RSVP TO: GPINERES@CREATIVASGROUP.COM